CCNA Exploration

Network Fundamentals: Planning and Cabling Networks Lab 10.6.1 Creating a Small Lab Topology

Lab 10.6.1: Creating a Small Lab Topology

Topology Diagram

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this lab, you will be able to:
• Design the logical network.
• Configure the physical lab topology.
• Configure the logical LAN topology.
• Verify LAN connectivity.

Background

Hardware Qty
Cisco Router 1
Cisco Switch 1
*Computer (host) 3
Cat-5 or better straight-through UTP cables 3
Cat-5 crossover UTP cable 1
Table 1. Equipment and Hardware for Lab

Drag the necessary hardware onto the PacketTracer desktop

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Scenario
In this lab you will create a small network that requires connecting network devices and configuring host
computers for basic network connectivity. SubnetA and SubnetB are subnets that are currently needed.
SubnetC and SubnetD are anticipated subnets, not yet connected to the network. The 0th subnet will be
used.
Note: Appendix 1 contains a subnet chart for the last IP address octet.

Task 1: Design the Logical Network.

Given an IP address and mask of 172.20.0.0 / 24 (address / mask), design an IP addressing
scheme that satisfies the following requirements:

Subnet Number of Hosts

SubnetA 2
SubnetB 6
SubnetC 47
SubnetD 125

Host computers from each subnet will use the first available IP address in the address block. Start with
the largest number of hosts first. Router interfaces will use the last available IP address in the address
block.

Step 1: Design SubnetD address block.

Begin the logical network design by satisfying the requirement of SubnetD, which requires the largest
block of IP addresses. Refer to the subnet chart, and pick the first address block that will support
SubnetD.
Fill in the following table with IP address information for SubnetD:

Network Mask First Host Last Host Broadcast

Address Address Address
172.20.0.0 255.255.255.128 172.20.0.1 172.20.0.126 172.20.0.127

What is the bit mask in binary?

________11111111.11111111.11111111.10000000__________________________________________

Step 2: Design SubnetC address block.

Satisfy the requirement of SubnetC, the next largest IP address block. Refer to the subnet chart, and pick
the next available address block that will support SubnetC.
Fill in the following table with IP address information for SubnetC:

Network Mask First Host Last Host Broadcast

Address Address Address
172.20.0.128 255.255.255.192 172.20.0.129 172.20.0.190 172.20.0.191

What is the bit mask in binary?

_____________11111111.11111111.11111111.11000000_____________________________________

Step 3: Design SubnetB address block.

Satisfy the requirement of SubnetB, the next largest IP address block. Refer to the subnet chart, and pick
the next available address block that will support SubnetB.
 Fill in the following table with IP address information for SubnetB:

Network Mask First Host Last Host Broadcast

Address Address Address
172.20.0.192 255.255.255.248 172.20.0.193 172.20.0.198 172.20.0.199

What is the bit mask in binary?

__11111111.11111111.11111111.11111000________________________________________________

Step 4: Design SubnetA address block.

Satisfy the requirement of SubnetA. Refer to the subnet chart, and pick the next available address block
that will support SubnetA.
Fill in the following table with IP address information for SubnetA:

Network Mask First Host Last Host Broadcast

Address Address Address
172.20.0.200 255.255.255.252 172.20.0.201 172.20.0.202 172.20.0.203

What is the bit mask in binary?

___________________11111111.11111111.11111111.11111100_______________________________

Task 2: Configure the Physical Lab Topology.

Step 1: Physically connect devices.

Figure 1. Cabling the Network

Cable the network devices as shown in Figure 1.

What cable type is needed to connect Host1 to Router1, and why? The type of cable needed is a copper
cross-over cable because host 1 and the router have similar interfaces. The chapter 10 module says like
devices get connected with a cross-over cable
What cable type is needed to connect Host1, Host2, and Router1 to Switch1, and why? A straight-through
cable is used because the switch is a different interface from the host.
If not already enabled, turn power on to all devices.
 Step 2: Visually inspect network connections.
After cabling the network devices, take a moment to verify the connections. Attention to detail now will
minimize the time required to troubleshoot network connectivity issues later. Ensure that all switch
connections show green. Any switch connection that does not transition from amber to green should be
investigated. Is the power applied to the connected device? Is the correct cable used? Is the correct cable
good?
What type of cable connects Router1 interface Fa0/0 to Host1? Copper Cross-over
What type of cable connects Router1 interface Fa0/1 to Switch1? Straight-through
What type of cable connects Host2 to Switch1? Straight-Through
What type of cable connects Host3 to Switch1? Straight-Through
Is all equipment turned on? Yes

Task 3: Configure the Logical Topology.

NOTE: Used the appendix A for the last octet which was not supplied with the lab.

Step 1: Document logical network settings.

The host computer Gateway IP address is used to send IP packets to other networks. Therefore, the
Gateway address is the IP address assigned to the router interface for that subnet.
From the IP address information recorded in Task 1, write down the IP address information for each
computer:

Host1
IP Address 172.20.0.201
IP Mask 255.255.255.252
Gateway Address 172.20.0.202

Host2
IP Address 172.20.0.193
IP Mask 255.255.255.248
Gateway Address 172.20.0.198

Host3
IP Address 172.20.0.194
IP Mask 255.255.255.248
Gateway Address 172.20.0.198

Step 2: Configure Host1 computer. You are using PacketTracer to complete this assignment,
please adjust these directions accordingly.
On Host1, click Start > Control Panel > Network Connections. Right-click the Local Area Connection
device icon and choose Properties.
On the General tab, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click the Properties button.
 Figure 2. Host1 IP Address and Gateway Settings

Refer to Figure 2 for Host1 IP address and gateway settings. Manually enter the following information,
recorded in Step 1, above:

IP address: Host1 IP address

Subnet mask: Host1 subnet mask
Default gateway: Gateway IP address

When finished, close the Internet Protocols (TCP/IP) Properties window by clicking OK. Close the Local
Area Connection window. Depending on the Windows operating system, the computer may require a
reboot for changes to be effective.

Step 3: Configure Host2 and Host3 computers.

Repeat Step 2 for computers Host2 and Host3, using the IP address information for those computers.

Task 4: Verify Network Connectivity.

To test for connectivity go to the Desktop of the PC and choose command prompt.
Verify with your instructor that Router1 has been configured. Otherwise, connectivity will be broken
between LANs. Switch1 should have a default configuration.
Network connectivity can be verified with the Windows ping command. Open a windows terminal by
clicking Start > Run. Type cmd and press Enter.

I have included the directions on how set an IP address through the TCP/IP protocol stack because in
production network this is how you set an IP address. You also may be asked how to do this on an exam.
 Use the following table to methodically verify and record connectivity with each network device. Take
corrective action to establish connectivity if a test fails:

From To IP Address Ping Results

Host1 Gateway (Router1, Fa0/0) 172.20.0.202 Success
Host1 Router1, Fa0/1 172.20.0.198 Success
Host1 Host2 172.20.0.193 Success

Host1 Host3 172.20.0.194 Success

Host2 Host3 172.20.0.194 Success

Host2 Gateway (Router1, Fa0/1) 172.20.0.198 Success

Host2 Router1, Fa0/0 172.20.0.202 Success

Host2 Host1 172.20.0.201 Success

Host3 Host2 172.20.0.193 Success

Host3 Gateway (Router1, Fa0/1) 172.20.0.198 Success

Host3 Router1, Fa0/0 172.20.0.202 Success

Host3 Host1 172.20.0.201 Success

Note any break in connectivity. When troubleshooting connectivity issues, the topology diagram can be
extremely helpful.
In the above scenario, how can a malfunctioning Gateway be detected?
Use the Ping command to ping all of the devices if the ping is not successful at the router then the
gateway may not be setup correctly.

Task 5: Reflection
Review any physical or logical configuration problems encountered during this lab. Be sure that you have
a thorough understanding of the procedures used to verify network connectivity.
This is a particularly important lab. In addition to practicing IP subnetting, you configured host computers
with network addresses and tested them for connectivity.
It is best to practice host computer configuration and verification several times. This will reinforce the skills
you learned in this lab and make you a better network technician.

Task 6: Challenge
Ask your instructor or another student to introduce one or two problems in your network when you aren’t
looking or are out of the lab room. Problems can be either physical (wrong UTP cable) or logical (wrong
IP address or gateway). To fix the problems:
1. Perform a good visual inspection. Look for green link lights on Switch1.
N/A
 Use the table provided in Task 3 to identify failed connectivity. List the problems:
____N/A______________________________________________________________________
___
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. Write down your proposed solution(s):
_______N/A___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Test your solution. If the solution fixed the problem, document the solution. If the solution did not
fix the problem, continue troubleshooting.
_____N/A_____________________________________________________________________
___
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Task 7: Clean Up.

Unless directed otherwise by the instructor, restore host computer network connectivity, and then turn off
power to the host computers.
Carefully remove cables and return them neatly to their storage. Reconnect cables that were
disconnected for this lab.
Remove anything that was brought into the lab, and leave the room ready for the next class.
N/A